Notoryctes typhlops lacks eyes and an optic nerve; only small black vestigial buds beneath the surface of the skin remain of the eyes. No external ears or ear pinnae exist and each external auditory meatus consists of a small hole surrounded by a dense covering of fur. Nostrils are reduced to tiny vertical slits and are located directly below the horny, keratinous shield that overlies the rostrum. Limbs are short with digits three and four having large, flattened, shovel-like claws. Both males and females have a backwards facing pouch, and that of females is better developed and contains two nipples. Dental formulas appear to vary among individuals as MacDonald (2009) lists the dental formula as I4/3, C1/1, P2/3, M4/4=44, whereas Benshemesh and Johnson (2003) report a dental formula of I4/4, C1/1, P3/3, M4/4=48. Their teeth are poorly rooted with incisors, canines and premolars being blunt. Upper molars are more developed and zalambdodont. (Benshemesh and Johnson, 2003; Howe, 1975; Johnson and Walton, 1989; Macdonald, 2009)

Home Range

There is no information available regarding the home range of Notoryctes typhlops.

Communication and Perception

Very little is known about communication in southern marsupial moles. In captivity, they have been observed making sharp squeaking sounds when held or when feeding was interrupted. Their brain is considered to be extremely simple and primitive, however, their olfactory bulbs are large and well developed, suggesting that communication and perception are primarily through olfaction. (Benshemesh and Johnson, 2003; Howe, 1975; Johnson and Walton, 1989)

Southern marsupial moles are not well adapted for feeding on larger prey items, which are difficult for them to manipulate with their shovel-like claws. Small larvae are held down with the forelimbs, and some prey items are squeezed with the forelimbs before being eaten, presumably to make them softer. Larger prey are either lapped up or not consumed. Above-ground feeding has been observed, however, prey is often taken underground to be eaten. (Benshemesh and Johnson, 2003; Corbett, 1975; Howe, 1975)

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no known adverse affects of Notoryctes typhlops on humans.

Conservation Status

The ICUN Red List of Threatened Species classifies Notoryctes typhlops as data deficient; however, the Australian government lists it as endangered. Notoryctes typhlops faces many threats including increased predation by the red fox as well as other human-induced factors. Changed fire regimens and increased cattle farming cause declines in native plant populations, leading to reduced invertebrate populations. This limits the amount of food available for N. typhlops. The increasing presence of roads and railways is believed to limit the dispersal of southern marsupial moles. Conservation research has been ongoing since 1999 and aims to collaborate with aboriginal people and biologists to focus on gaining a better understanding of the ecology of this species. ("National recovery plan for marsupial moles (Notoryctes typhlops and N. caurinus), 2005–2010", 2004; "Southern Marsupial Mole (Notoryctes typhlops)", 2009; Dickman, et al., 2010)

Contributors

Glossary

Australian

Living in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and associated islands.

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

carnivore

an animal that mainly eats meat

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

desert or dunes

in deserts low (less than 30 cm per year) and unpredictable rainfall results in landscapes dominated by plants and animals adapted to aridity. Vegetation is typically sparse, though spectacular blooms may occur following rain. Deserts can be cold or warm and daily temperates typically fluctuate. In dune areas vegetation is also sparse and conditions are dry. This is because sand does not hold water well so little is available to plants. In dunes near seas and oceans this is compounded by the influence of salt in the air and soil. Salt limits the ability of plants to take up water through their roots.

endothermic

animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.

food

A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.

fossorial

Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.

insectivore

An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

soil aeration

digs and breaks up soil so air and water can get in

solitary

lives alone

tactile

uses touch to communicate

temperate

that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

tropical

the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.

viviparous

reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.

Disclaimer:
The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

This material is based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation
Grants DRL 0089283, DRL 0628151, DUE 0633095, DRL 0918590, and DUE 1122742. Additional support has come from the Marisla Foundation, UM College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Museum of Zoology, and Information and Technology Services.